Donphan Analysis - PokéCheats Pokémon #232, Analysis, Movesets


05/08/24, 01:21
Donphan Analysis
#231 Phanpy Pokédex Strategy Moves Database Porygon2 #233

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This article gives you ideas of how to use Donphan in battle in the Pokémon Black, Pokémon White and Pokemon B2W2 Games. It lists popular movesets used by competitive battlers, as well as a description on how to use each set to help you understand why the moves were chosen. These popular sets are usually the best to use in battle and so reading this guide will help you in your team building.

Gen 4: Overview

Donphan is in general fearsome both offensively and defensively, so it is used on both balanced offensive teams and stall teams. It is commonly used as a check against sweepers like Altaria in UU or Flygon and Salamence in OU.


 
Ability Nature Item HP Atk. Def. SpAtk. SpDef. Speed
Sturdy Impish leftovers 252 4 252 0 0 0
There are no current set statistics analysed






This moveset makes use of a rare move, Rapid Spin. This move makes Donphan a great Pokemon to use with Pokémon like Gyarados. Ground Typing is only helpful, as it makes Donphan resist Stealth Rock. The bad thing is, that Donphan can not beat most levitating Ghosts. (and Mismagius if you don´t want to use Stone Edge) Earthquake is a powerful STAB move that will hurt even without EV investment. Ice Shard is a priority move that will 2HKO Flygon and Salamence (not assuming Intimidate). Stealth Rock makes Donphan an even better supporter, and it will make sure you have control over entry hazards. Stone Edge is a viable choice, too, as it 2HKOs Mismagius and Gengar.

 
Ability Nature Item HP Atk. Def. SpAtk. SpDef. Speed
Sturdy Adamant choice band 172 252 0 0 0 84
There are no current set statistics analysed






Donphan just wants a Choice Band, mainly because of its 120 Base Attack, powerful STAB move and Ice Shard. Earthquake will OHKO things like Metagross, and makes a great STAB move. Ice Shard will always OHKO Dragonite, Salamence(without Stealth Rock) and 2HKO Gliscor. Stone Edge will rip trough Moltres and other flying types. Assurance, assuming Stealth Rock, will destroy Rotom and Mismagius. Fire Fang is a choice, too, as it will heavily damage Bronzong.

 
Ability Nature Item HP Atk. Def. SpAtk. SpDef. Speed
Sturdy Adamant life orb 252 252 4 0 0 0
There are no current set statistics analysed






Donphan makes a great lead, mainly because of STAB Earthquake that will OHKO Metagross and Jirachi, and a priority move to break sashes of Infernape and other suicude leads. Life Orb is crucial to the success of this moveset, because it allows you to OHKO Metagross with Earthquake and 2HKO Aerodactyl with Ice Shard. Stealth Rock is a great support option, and Donphan is bulky enough to set it up without problems. Rapid Spin makes this lead unique, as after defeating the opposing lead, it can just spin Stealth Rock away. This moveset can´t do anything to Azelf, so using a powerful pursuiter like Tyranitar is reccomended.

 
Ability Nature Item HP Atk. Def. SpAtk. SpDef. Speed
Sturdy Impish leftovers 252 4 252 0 0 0
There are no current set statistics analysed






Donphan has great physical defenses, although he lacks a reliable recovery move. Rest + Sleep talk makes up for the loss, and gives Donphan a way to protect Status and heal itself. Earthquake is a powerful STAB move that will hit steels hard. Stone Edge gives great coverage. Restalk Donphan is really bulky, so it can make good use of Rapid Spin, too. It´s recommended to use this moveset with Toxic Spikes support, as Earthquake will hit Poison and Steel types that are immune to it hard, while Stone Edge will take care of Flying types.

 
Ability Nature Item HP Atk. Def. SpAtk. SpDef. Speed
Sturdy Jolly salac berry 0 4 252 0 0 252
There are no current set statistics analysed






On this moveset Donphan abuses Ice Shard and Endeavor to make a good, altough novelty moveset. Substitute, Endeavor and Ice Shard are crucial. Substitute will protect you against Status, and Donphan causes a lot of switches with his STAB Earthquake. Then, you can continue using Substitute until your HP is the lowest possible. Endeavor will make an opposing Pokémon´s HP as low as yours, letting you finish it off with a priority move in Ice Shard. Earthquake is a reliable STAB move. Salac Berry will make Donphan quite fast, so you will be able to cripple another Pokémon with Endeavor.

 
Ability Nature Item HP Atk. Def. SpAtk. SpDef. Speed
Sturdy Jolly life orb 4 252 0 0 0 252
There are no current set statistics analysed






This set makes Donphan a great sweeper. Rock Polish will make sure Donphan will outspeed even positive base 105 speed Pokémon! Earthquake and Stone Edge provide great coverage. Assurance will 2HKO Mismagius with Stealth Rock. Life Orb is used so Donphan becomes even more powerful.

Most Used Set

Probably the Rapid Spinner moveset, because of unique moves known as Rapid Spin and Ice Shard, which beat Flying and grounded Dragons.

Other Options

Body Slam is an option for the paralysis chance. Poison Jab hits Grass types hard, and provides great coverage with Earthquake.

Seed Bomb will always 2HKO Swampert, altough that is the only thing it will do. Flail is an option, although Lucario and Kabutops do this better.

Toxic can be used to cripple Anti Spinners like Spiritomb.

Usual Counters

Ludicolo is a perfect counter, as it resists Donphan´s STAB move, takes pathetic damage from Ice Shard, and OHKOs with STAB Grass Knot. Tangrowth works well, too, as it doesn´t mind Ice Shard, and OHKOs with its STAB Grass Knot.In OU, Rotom-C is immune to Rapid Spin and Earthquake, and will OHKO with Leaf Storm.

Opinion

Donphan is a mix between Mamoswine and Hippowdon. I don´t say that its a bad thing, though. Donphan makes a good Dragons counter, and is bulky enough to reliably use Rapid Spin. Donphan makes both a scary sweeper with STAB Earthquake, but it makes an awesome Restalker, too. Anyway, Donphan is a potent force that is often underestimated.











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